With an array of subcategories and specialties to choose from, a career as an engineer allows you to work in almost any industry. The need for talented engineers is ever-present across all sectors, which means the profession has high employability rates and impressive salary packages.

If you want to climb the career ladder, however, you’ll be looking for opportunities in management and administration. As an engineer, you’ll already display the skills and characteristics associated with STEM professionals, such as:

• Technical prowess
• Analytical
• Problem-solving
• Innovative
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork

To make the move into a managerial role, you’ll need to add to your skillset. Green engineering, in particular, is a growing specialty and one that requires foresight, creativity and commercial awareness. To succeed in this exciting field, you’ll want to ensure that you have the knowledge and understanding to balance the competing demands of commerce and environment.

Securing a role in engineering management isn’t necessarily easy, so it’s vital to set yourself apart from the competition. There are various ways to do this, such as:

1. Obtain an MBA

Becoming a Master of Business Administration is a fantastic way to develop your skills and prepare yourself for a managerial role. While your engineering prowess will have been well-established, you’ll need to show that you have the in-depth knowledge and soft skills required to lead an organization if you want to pursue a career in green engineering management.

When studying for an MBA, you’ll have the opportunity to complete courses or modules across a range of areas, including:

• Strategic management
• Managerial accounting
• Marketing management
• Financial management
• Global leadership

Furthermore, a reputable MBA course will allow you to apply this knowledge in real-world settings from the get-go. Combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience, an MBA showcases your managerial talents. Effectively proving to employers that you have what it takes to take on a role in management and administration, it’s a fantastic way of climbing the career ladder in green engineering.

2. Completing an MSEM Course

Undertaking a Master of Science in Engineering Management program gives you the chance to specialize in engineering management, as opposed to business management in general. If you’re committed to developing your career in green engineering, this specialism will certainly stand you in good stead.

Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between completing an MBA or an MSc in Engineering Management. Reputable educational institutions, like Kettering University Online, enable you to complete both qualifications at the same time. Once you’ve obtained your MBA, for example, you’ll only need to undertake five additional courses or modules to secure your Master of Science in Engineering Management.

As you climb the career ladder in green engineering, you’ll be competing against other candidates who possess an MBA or an MSc in Engineering Management. By obtaining both qualifications, you can truly stand out from the crowd and impress potential employers with your knowledge, skills and practical abilities.

3. Gain Experience

In addition to having theoretical knowledge, it’s important to prove to future employers that you have what it takes to succeed in a managerial role. As you become a more experienced engineer, look for opportunities to take on additional responsibilities. Heading up teams and taking on a supervisory role will allow you to nurture the soft managerial skills you need in a real-world setting, for example.

It can be tricky to gain managerial experience without the requisite qualifications, which is why it’s important to choose a course provider that understands the importance of practical application. By selecting an MBA or MSEM course that places a heavy emphasis on real-world applicability, you can gain practical experience while pursuing your academic qualifications.

Combining Work and Study

If you want to make the transition into green engineering management, you’ll need to obtain the required qualifications. However, very few people are able or willing to take a long-term sabbatical in order to study on a full-time basis. Understandably, the risk of giving up your current role and the financial implications of studying full-time mean that most engineers want to combine studying with working in their current positions.

Fortunately, the rise of online learning means that you can obtain an MBA and an MSc in Engineering Management from reputable and highly regarded universities and colleges while working on a full-time basis. Many educational institutions offer impressive programs on an online-only basis, which will enable you to fulfil your academic potential, retain your existing position and enhance your employability.

Advantages of Studying Online

Completing your qualifications online offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• Reduced costs
• Increased flexibility
• Global network
• Option to study at the most prestigious educational institutions
• Learn at your own pace
• Apply academic knowledge in real-world environments

As you can see, undertaking an online MBA or MSc in Engineering Management is advantageous for many reasons. With no need to relocate to be nearer a college or university, you can study from any region. This means you won’t need to give up your current job role or uproot your family in order to develop your career in green engineering.

Furthermore, the added flexibility associated with online learning allows you to balance your responsibilities and learn at your own pace. While studying alongside engineers from all over the world, you’ll also have the chance to broaden your professional network and develop future opportunities.

Pursuing a Career in Green Engineering

Green engineering is based on the principle that protecting the environment and human health should be incorporated into design, development and commercialization phases from the outset. As mainstream awareness of environmental issues becomes more widespread, companies are actively looking for ways to make their products, processes and operations greener.

By choosing to pursue a career in green engineering, you’re specializing in a field of engineering that is set to grow exponentially. This will ensure that demand for your skills will increase and organizations will be eager to leverage your talents. To be at the top of your game in a growing sector, develop your skills, gain managerial experience and obtain the qualifications you need to succeed now.

_____________________________________________________________

Author: James Daniels is a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics.